Improvement in machines for obtaining printing-surfaces for reading-matter



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No.198.240. Patented Dec. 18, 1877- Ql/c l @a 4 1w. P OIWILIILIIIII v f o s w MM u 14 A w 00 2J :u IIL a Jaz/mia N PETERS4 PHOTO-LITHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON@ C.

Y '3 sheets-sheem' G. P. DRUMMOND. Machine for Obtaining Printing Surfaces for Reading- Matter. No. 198.240. Patented Dec. 18,1877

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Patented Dec. 18,1877

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

IMPROVEMENT iN MACHINES FOR OBTAINING PRiNTlNG-SURFACES FOR READING-MATTER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 198,240, dated December 18, 1877 application filed October` 31, 1877.

GAsE

To all whom 'it may concern:

Beit knownthat I, GEORGE PRINGLE DRUM- MOND, of the city of Ottawa, in the county of Carleton, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machinery for Obtaining Printing-Surfaces for Reading-Matter, which are fully set forth in the following speciiication and in the accompanying drawings, in all of which like letters or iigures of reference indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to form the subject-matter to be printed into a matrix or molding-surface, by first composing it in a suitable composing-machine, which cuts the matriced letters from reels oi ribboned paper and attaches them to an elastic band, from which, by means oi` a suitable clamping-press, they are deposited in justified lines, in page or column, into which metal may be poured for the purpose of producing a stereotype.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the composing-machine, sectioned longitudinally. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same machine, having the table broken to show the mechanism underneath. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are details, showing the manner in which the ribboned paper is cut off and attached to the band, and the various positions assumed during its operation. Fig. 7 is a front view of the machine. Fig. S is a front view of the shears and vsection of the elasticband wheel. Fig. 9 is a top view of Fig. S. Figs. 1() and 11 are details of attaching the matriced letters to the elastic band. Figs. 12, 15, 16, and 17 are views of the clamping-press. AFigs. 13 and 14 are sections of the molding-surface and matriced paper, respectively.

A brieil outline of the operation of this machine is as follows: The letters are matriced and printed on ribboned paper 1() 1() 10, as shown` in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, and of which Fig. 14 is a section. This is done in a ribbon printing and matricing press, which forms the subject of another application.

The reason for printing the letters at the same time that they are matriced is that they are more readily read for the purposes of arrangement or correction for taking a phototographic proof ot' them after they are ar- `r`fngetbeithr lines, pages, or columns.

These prepared paper ribbons are inserted into channels 4S 4S 48, Fig. 2, and converge upon a central shears, 7, Fig. 9. Here, by means of the mechanism hereinafter described, the required letters are cut off and attached `to elastifV ba1 id, "f,vliiclis coated with an adhesive substance of resin and oil. The subj ect-matter then present-s the appearance shown in Fig. 10, the blank spaces on the ribboned paper overlapping like slate or shingles on a roof. These matrices are then formed into a molding-surface, (under the clamping-press shown in Figs. 12,15, 16, and 17,) which, when dried, is ready to produce a stereotype from. The rubber band is used for the purposes ot' justifying thelines prior to their being clamped down in the manner seen in Fig. 12.

The operation of the mechanism to carry out the foregoing is as follows: The cam c on the--rapidly-revolving shaft 46 produces a constant vibrating movement upon the arms l and j', to which cross-bar connections t and u are fixed, which underlie all the key-actions g and h. Now, when I require a letter, I depress the'key representing it. This brings forwardthe hammer j, and throws 0H the sustaining-catch lz. The lever g then drops, as represented, and is immediately caught by the vibrating-arm bar a, which drives it forward, together with its attachments, the sliding ribboned-paper channel 48.

The movement of all these projects the first letter on the ribbon ed paper through the shears 7, Fig. 5. The vibrating arm j' and its crossbar t, Fig. 1, now commence to rise, and, coming underneath the advanced lever g/,raise it, and with it the overlying cut-offlever-bar s, centered at 49. This raises the shear-bar o", and cuts oii the letter which is stuck to the elastic band by the sticking-pad 4. The tion of this pad is fully described in my application for composing, attaching, and photographing machinery for reading-matter. After the letter has been cut oil' and attached, the feed-wheel 31 feeds the band ahead the width oi' such letter as may have been attached.

guide p, draw-spring g, sliding guide n, and

The bar t then raises the drop-lever g clear of the top of the bar u, and, being thus'relieved,

the spring 9 throws the combined drop-action and ribbon-paper mechanism back to its origi.

nal position.

The feeding mechanism consists of the lever e, having the cross-bar w, containing the setscrews for each letter, and operates, by the lever 50, friction pawls or cams 40 and 45, the friction-wheel 44, beltpulley 43, and belt 5l to elastic-band pulley 3l. The action is more fully described in my application for composing, attaching, and photographing machinery for reading-matter, with the feed of which it is identical, with the exception that there is here added a friction pawl or cam, 52, operating upon rod 53 for thepurpose hereinafter explained, and also a connecting-bolt, 42, ad-

justable along the slot 54 for the following reasons: This machine is equally applicable as a composing and attaching machine to operate for the same end and purpose described in my application for composing, attaching, and photographingmachinery for reading-mat ter, when it is used for composing from matriced letters. These, being much smaller than is necessary for letters which may be photographed from, require a shorter feed; therefore the bolt 42 is slid along the slot 54 toward the centerl of the wheel 44; and proportionately to the size of letter required or used in the machine is the adjustment of the feed-connection 42 to or from this center.

It will be observed from Fig. 10 that the cutoff pieces of paper which have been attached to the band overlap each other only in part, and that they are cut in the shape of an L, that portion -in which the letter is matriced not overlapping.

It will also be observed in Fig. 14, which is a section of the ribboned paper matriced, that the paper is creased so as to allow the ready deposit and adhesion, by paste, of lines one after another on a ilat surface, of which Fig. 13 is a section, and Fig. 12 a front view. To accomplish this end, the following action of thev shears and its connection is thus described.

Fig. 4 is the normal position of the ribboned paper l0 and channel 48, Fig. 3 being the entrance end of channel. 80 is a short channel immediately contiguous to the shears 7; but of the ribboned-paper channels 48 48 there are a number equal to the number of letters or signs required in the composition. The end of the ribboned paper in each of these channels 48 48 projects beyond the channels, as seen in Fig. 4, just into the entrance of the short channel 80, and this is the normal or stationary position of all the ribbon ed papers and their channels 48 48. Y

' The manner in which, when a letter is wanted, these ends of the ribboned paper are singly driven forward into the short channel 80, between the shears 7, vcut oil", fed, and then returned to their original position, is now de-v scribed. Y,

'shears 6 then cut the The letters have contiguous punched holes, in which a 4pair of small spring-pointers or pawls operate-one, z, as a check, the other, 3, as afeed. When akey is struck the ribboned paper is driven forward, as seen in Fig. 5.l It is here caught on the point of the spring 3, close to the shears 7. While retained in this position, and before the letter is cut oil'l by the shears, the paper-channel retires to position, Fig. 6, thus advancing the paper along the channelthat is, feeding it; andI in this manner is every paper ribbon fed, so as to be ready when required again. The secondary v gap, and the shears 7 cut the entire piece oft', after which the ribboned paper and its channel go back together to their original position, as in Fig. 4. The secondary shears 6, being attached to the slide-bar y, are operated on by the feed-bar 11 againstthe adjustable butt 4, in such manner that the shears are moved forward the distance required by the letter tobe cut off and attached, whether it be an m or an i or other letter.

ln Fig. 8, 6 represents the secondary shears 7, the main shears; 56, a friction-rollerattached to drive 6 simultaneously; 32, trough for cuttings; 31, elastic-band wheel; 37, belt-wheel; fw, elastic band; A, machine-table.

In Fig. 9, 10 is the ribboned paper; 7, shears, and E their inside cutting-blade; 6, shears; 4, sticking-pad; B, the neck-channel; 3, the spring paper-pawl; w, the elastic band; and 32, the cutting-trough.

Fig. 11 is intended to represent the action.

`of the secondary shears and relation to the attached letters, being aview from the side in Fig. l. Fig. 10 is a back view of theattached paper, band, and band-wheel. Fig. 7 is afront elevation.

The speed at which the machine is run is about two hundred and fifty revolutions a minute; consequently, the execution of the movements herein described is accomplished with extreme rapidity. f

From description of Figs. 4, 5, and 6 it will be remembered that the paper-channel 48, on a key being struck, advancesv to position, Fig.

5, and then recedes to position in Fig. 6 before nally returning to its position. To do this,

it is necessary to make the outline of the ec- Acentric-cam c conform, and therefore the whole mechanism of the machine must also recede. This must be prevented in the feed-wheel 43, and to this end the bar 53 and the frictionpawl 52 are attached, so as to prevent any ret-v rograde movement until theffriction-pawl 52 is raised. The feed-wheelv is thus prevented from feeding until the letter has been cut olf and attached. The forward movement of the machine sets the feed-wheel 20 so as to op-y erate on the back movement only. lc, l, and 54 are parallel-motion rocking bars. adjusting-eccentric.

vIn Fig. 1 all sectional parts cross the machine, and to every key is allotted a similar mechanism, as shown in the parts h g c p g 9.

m is an m a z 48, and also a reel of ribboned paper, 10, having its distinctive letter. The sectioned cross-bar a' contains the adjusting set-screws for feeding each letter proportionately, and these set-screws are operated upon by the lugs i; attached to each drop-lever.

The matriced letters having been cut oftl and attached, as appears in Fig. 10, the next operation is to detach them and form them into a molding-surface by means of the clamping-press, Figs. 12, 15, 16, and 17. In these figures w is the elastic band; 13, the table, movable by the paw/126. 15 is the mold-basis; 16,17, 18, 27, 24, the clamping mechanism, 23, an oven. 2() is the justifying-platform for the elastic band; and 55, 58, 57, 26 is the feeding mechanism for the table 13. v

When I have attached such reading-matter as I require to the elastic band, I place it conveniently, and draw it across the adjustingplatform of the swinging knee 19 and 20, holding it with niy hands, similarly as in Fig. 12. I then swing it to position 20h, justify the length of my line to the set-gage 67 and 68, then swing down on the mold-basis 15, on which there is a coating of pasty composition of paste and plaster-of-paris, toward the clamp. I then move forward the table 13 by the pawl 26 and the treadle-lever 25. This carries the line of matrix-letters 'on the band under the clamp 18. I then withdraw the handle 27 with the lever 24, bringing down the clamp upon the line of reading-matter.

Now, I may state here that the table-bed 13 isv kept warm by the oven 23, and as the adhesive substance on the elastic band is resin and oil, this melts, or rather softens, and the band is readily detached, leaving the letters embedded in the pasty composition, which hardens by the same means as softens the resin. In this manner I carry along the elastic band and deposit the next line, and so continue until I have finished my page or coluinn.

In carrying out the foregoing, the consistency of the pasty composition, its drying properties, extent of coating, and so on, are readily determined by practice and the speed at which the operator can justify and embed.

As appears from Fig. 16, the clamp is hollow, and this chamber contains tissue-paper 30, which is discharged as the embedding is continued. This is an important feature for preventing clogging of the clamp, and the overruning of any paste coming up through the joints between the letters into the hollow of the letters.

As the finished stereotype-mold passes from the clamp it appears covered with this sheet of tissue-paper, and remains so until the whole is perfectly dried in the usual stereotypeoven, when it is simply passed over a flame and the tissue-paper burned off. It is then ready for casting the -metal in the usual way, after first dusting off the ash.

Should the stereotype-plate not be perfectly level or true, it may be readily made so by leveling its face downward on a slab, and abrading or planing the hack. Wvhen the ribboned paper is matriced and creased it is also printed on the bottom of the matrix at the same time, which is necessary for the object of taking a photograpli-proof for the purposes of correction.

Ihave to state that in many instances, and especially in setting up from manuscript, an important feature not to be lost sight of is the probability of correction being required. I have provided for this contingency in such a manner as to render its being as readily accomplished, and as quickly, as under the present system of correcting movable type.

Practice upon the keys of the composingmachine will insure an accuracy not obtainable under the present system of hand setting and distribution; but authors7 and editorial corrections or other changes in manuscript will always be necessary.

To provide for this, when I have reason to believe it will be required, instead of directly clamping down the subject-matter upon the basis on the press-table, I proceed after the following manner: I place upon either of reels 21 or 22 ribboned paper of the same dimensions as that printed and matriced, but in this instance only creased, and I justify and clamp down upon this ribboned paper from the elastic band in the same manner as previously. I afterward cut the lines and set up in a suitable grooved frame, and from this take a photographic proof for correction. It will be readily seen that my lines may now be transposed or moved about, or leaded out, or they may be cut out and carried forward or backward where more than a line has to be put in or taken out, as the case may be. When correction has taken place, I clamp them readily dowii on the matrix basis without the swinging frame 2() or the justication.

Matriced letters maybe used in some instances of larger or smaller type, or the lines may be required to be farther apart (leaded out) than ordinary. I have provided an adjustable feeding mechanism to the table 13 to meet this case.

On the under side of the table 13, 55 is a guide, with an opening or tapering slot, corresponding to spaces between the spokes. In this tapering slot works the ratchet or pawl 26.

It will be apparent, as the lever 25 is slid over toward the wheel-center on the bar 57, that the swing of the lever becomes more confined.

The shears, pad, feed-wheel, and their connections (seen in Fig. 9) may be transposed to the opposite side of the mouth-channel B, in this way sticking the letters to the other side of the band. This renders the detaching, as seen in Fig. 12, somewhat more convenient.

Before concluding it may be distinctly stated that the same result-that is, the stereotype or an electrotype plate maybe produced by for correction. This manner the depression of the keys.

turning the embossed (relief) side of the ribboned paper in the composing-machine outward, and fixing them down in page, column, or line, in the manner already described for obtaining a matrix-mold, but in this instance producing the letters in relief, or the reverse of a matrix-mold. A matrix-cast may now be obtained from this relief-mold in either metal or other suitablesubstance, from which cast a stereotype or an electrotype plate may be taken. .0f course the matrix-cast must be made of such material as may be most suitable to the stereotype or electrotype, as the case may be.

In using the relief side. of the ribboned paper, the creasing of it is not necessary; but each line may be indented in the clampingpress as it is clamped down.

It will be observable that proofs may be readily taken of the relief-letters, if necessary of using the ribboned paper gives greater 'relief to the letters bymaking greater depressions between the lines and words, but requires a double manipulation of the mold. The use of the secondary shears may also be dispensed with. Any unevenness in the stereotype or electrotype plate may be removed by placing the face down on a level plate, and treated as before described., or more quickly by placing thereon a layer of sand, and subjectingthe whole to hydraulic pressure.

. I may nally state that as the pieces of ribboned paper are cut oi and attached like slate on a roof, the lap and relap give them a slight incline when clamped down to a level surface;

therefore I prefer to vmatrix the letters in the ribboned paper slightly deeper on one side, this being for the purpose of bringing them more nearly to the leveland to counteract this incline.

What I claim as my invention is as follows:

1. The improvement in the art of producing printing-surfaces, which consists in first detaching the characters ofthe subject-matter from previously-prepared strips of paper, then attaching' them to an elastic band, by means of which they lines are justified, and finally transferring the subject-matter to a page or column basis.

2. The art of producing surfaces for printing reading-matter from,which consists in first detachin g the letters of the subi] ect-matter from paper or other suitable material, having the letters matriced and printed therein or embossed thereon, and then attaching them to an elastic band or surface, from which they are removed and formed into a solid matrix or relief-mold, from which a stereotype or electrotype is obtained. l

3. The paper-strip carriers, the lingeringkeys, and the scissors, in combination with the intermediate mechanism, substantially as described, whereby the strips of paper are fed forward and the separate letters detached upon 4. The combination of the fingering-keys b b b by the knee .attachment 59 and the hammer j with the sustaining-catch h and the droplevers g, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination of the drop-lever g, parallel slide p, the draw-spring g, and the channel-guide n with the paper channels or carriers 48, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

- 6. The. combination of the paper channel or carrier 48 and the channel-guide n, provided.

with the spring-pawl z, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.'

7. The combination of thel drop-levervg and the channel guide and carrier mechanism by the connecting draw-spring q and draw-slide p with the revolving eccentric c, the vibrating arm d, and the cross bar u, for the purpose of feeding in the paper, substantially as described.

Y 8. The combination of the channel orcarrier 48, the channelguide n, provided with the pawl z, with the short channel 80, provided with the pawl` 3, substantially as described, and for. the purposes specified.

9. The combination of the revolving eccentric c,-the vibrating arm u, and cross-bar t with the drop -lever g, the shear-levers r, and the double shears 7 and 6, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

10. The combination of the drop-lever g, the feed-arms e, and the cross-bar x (containing vthe adjusting set-screws) with the feed-wheel 43, by the lever 50, and the feeding and check friction-pawls 40 and 45, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

11. The combination of the cross-bar a', having set-screws therein, with the drop-lever lugs o and the channel guide mechanism carrying the ribboned paper, substantially as described, yand for the purposes specified.

12. The combination of the :feed-arm e and cross-bars x and 11 with the slidebar y and the secondary shears 6, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

13. The combination of the channel or carrier 48, the stationary short channel 80, having the spring-pawl 3, main shears 7, secondary shears 6, and -elastic band w, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

14; The combination of Vthe elastic band w, having the subject-matter attached thereto, the swinging adjusting-platform 19 and 20, the drop-press 18, and the matrix-basis 15, substantlally as described, and for the purposes specified. p

15. The combination of the press 18, provided with a slot for the tissue-paper 30, with th' bed 13, carrying the matrices formed into a molding surface, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

16.- The combination of the Vreels 2l or 22, having ribboned paper thereon, with the elastic band having the matriced or embossed subject-matter thereon, substantially as described,

- and for the purposes specified.

17. The combination of the oven 23 and the coated bolt 42, and lever 50, having the slot 54, with table 13, carrying the matrix-basis 15,

the mechanism carrying the ribboned paper with a pasty composition, with the elastieband, carrying the matrioed subject-matter, for the for the purpose of increasing the feed proporpurpose of aiding in removing the latter from tionately throughout, and substantially as detlie band and oonsolid( ting it on the matrixscribed. basis, substantially as described. GEORGE PRINGLE DRUMMOND.

1S. In the composing-machine, the ooinbi- Vitnesses: nation of the lever e, having` the oross-bar x, JOHN GRIsT, provided With adjusting set-screws and the l HENRY GRIST. 

